Powered by Franchising

Hosted by Laura Rolfe

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Episodes

130

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Thinking about business ownership and wondering whether franchising could be the right path for you? Powered by Franchising helps aspiring business owners, career professionals, and investors understand how franchise ownership really works—so they can evaluate opportunities with greater clarity and confidence. Hosted by Laura Rolfe, founder and CEO of Mint Franchise Consultants and a Certified Advanced Franchise Consultant, the show goes beyond franchise sales pitches to explore the decisions, systems, people, and business models behind successful franchise ownership. Through candid conversations with franchise founders, executives, franchisees, lenders, advisors, and other industry experts; you’ll learn what to consider before investing, how to evaluate franchise fit, what strong franchise systems and support actually look like, and how experienced owners and operators approach growth. Episodes explore questions such as: • How do you know if franchise ownership is right for you? • What makes one franchise a better fit than another? • What should you understand about funding and financial readiness? • How do due diligence, validation, and the Franchise Disclosure Document help you make a more informed decision? • Can you build a business while continuing your current career? • What separates strong franchise systems and successful owners from the rest? Powered by Franchising is built around a simple idea: working for yourself doesn’t have to mean working by yourself. Franchising can provide proven systems, established support, and a path to business ownership—but no opportunity is right for everyone. Finding the right fit requires education, thoughtful evaluation, and a clear understanding of your goals, lifestyle, finances, and desired role in the business. Whether you’re beginning to explore business ownership, comparing franchise opportunities, preparing for due diligence, or thinking about how ownership could support your long-term goals, Powered by Franchising gives you practical insight to help you make better-informed decisions. Follow Powered by Franchising so you don’t miss new conversations, franchise insights, and practical guidance for your business ownership journey.

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60 recent

October 28, 2026

Big Vision, Strong Culture & Smart Growth: The Local Handyman Franchise Story (Audio)

What if you could start building a business without walking away from your W-2 career? On the latest episode of Powered by Franchising, I sat down with Colin Sparke, CEO of Local Handyman, and WOW—what a great conversation! I absolutely LOVE the culture, vision, and energy behind this brand! We talked about what makes Local Handyman special, including: 🔹 Family-First Culture: Building a company where relationships, values, and people matter. 🔹 The Power of a Vivid Vision: How having a clear picture of the future helps guide decisions, align teams, and drive growth. 🔹 Scaling Through Franchising: How the franchise model can help turn a strong business concept into a growing network of local businesses. 🔹 Keeping Your W-2 Job: Yes, you can start this business while maintaining your career! But Colin doesn't sugarcoat the commitment. New owners should expect to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week outside their regular jobs as they get started. 🔹 Building a Team From Day One: The model begins with a minimum of three territories, with one van and handyman in each territory, plus a business development professional to help drive growth. What impressed me most about Colin was his passion for building something bigger than just a handyman business. He's creating a culture, a vision, and a system designed to help entrepreneurs build and scale their own businesses. 💡 My biggest takeaway? You don't necessarily have to quit your job to begin your entrepreneurial journey—but you DO need to be willing to put in the work! If you've been thinking about business ownership but aren't ready to give up your W-2 income, this is a conversation worth watching. I'd love to know: Would you be willing to work an extra 20 hours a week to build a business of your own? #PoweredByFranchising #LocalHandyman #FranchiseOwnership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #FranchiseOpportunities #MintFranchiseConsultants #PrattPodcasting

October 21, 2026

Franchise vs. Starting Your Own Business: One Entrepreneur Who's Done Both (Audio)

Franchisee. Independent business owner. Franchisor. Few entrepreneurs have experienced all three sides of business ownership. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Kate Rolfe, CAFC, sits down with Kyle Struebing, Co-Founder of Altered States Wellness, to explore his journey from purchasing a CBD retail franchise to developing an independent wellness brand and eventually becoming a franchisor. Kyle shares the decisions, challenges, and lessons behind each stage of that journey, offering a unique perspective on the question many aspiring entrepreneurs face: Is it better to buy a franchise or start your own business? Discover what franchise systems can provide, where independent ownership offers greater flexibility, and why understanding your own goals is essential when choosing a business model. Guest: Kyle Struebing, Co-Founder, Altered States Wellness Host: Kate Rolfe, CAFC | Mint Franchise Consultants Learn more: alteredstateswellness.com Powered by Franchising — Exploring the people, stories, and opportunities behind business ownership. #PrattPodcasting

October 13, 2026

How to Fund Your Franchise: SBA Loans, 401(k) Rollovers & More | Michele Simones (Audio)

Dreaming of owning a franchise but wondering how you'll pay for it? You may have more financing options than you realize! In this episode of Powered by Franchising, host Laura Rolfe welcomes Michele Simones of Guidant Financial to explore the different ways aspiring entrepreneurs can fund their franchise investment. From SBA loans to Rollovers for Business Startups (ROBS), Michele helps demystify the financing process and explains why understanding your funding options is an important step toward business ownership. In this episode, we explore: SBA loans and how they can help finance a franchise purchase. Rollovers for Business Startups (ROBS) and using eligible retirement funds to invest in a business. Other financing options available to aspiring franchise owners. Why your financing strategy should be part of your franchise discovery process. How to begin evaluating funding solutions that align with your financial goals. Whether you're considering your first franchise, exploring a career transition, or planning your next business venture, this conversation offers valuable information to help you move forward with greater confidence. Ready to explore franchise ownership? Connect with Laura Rolfe at Mint Franchise Consultants for complimentary franchise consulting: https://link.franflow.io/widget/bookings/business-ownership-call Learn more about Guidant Financial: https://www.guidantfinancial.com/ Powered by Franchising — Unlock the Power of Franchising! Financing involves risks. Loan approval is not guaranteed, and retirement funds invested in a business may be lost. Consult qualified financial, tax, and legal professionals before making investment decisions. #PrattPodcasting

October 6, 2026

What If Moving Didn’t Have to Suck? How Pink Zebra Is Disrupting an Everyday Industry (Audio)

Moving is stressful. Moving companies aren’t exactly known for creating unforgettable customer experiences. Pink Zebra Moving wants to change that. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with David Luke of Pink Zebra Moving to explore how this bold brand is bringing personality, customer experience, and a little fun to one of the most traditional service industries. They dive into the business behind the pink trucks, including what makes the moving industry attractive, how franchise owners find customers, the importance of referral relationships, building and managing a team, and what it takes to stand out in a crowded local market. And Laura asks the question every prospective franchise owner should ask: Why buy a moving franchise when you could just buy a truck and start a moving company yourself? If you’ve ever wondered how entrepreneurs take an ordinary service, build a memorable brand around it, and turn it into a scalable business, this conversation is for you. 🎙️ Powered by Franchising — Unlock the Power of Franchising. #PoweredByFranchising #PinkZebraMoving #Franchising #FranchiseOpportunity #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #HomeServices #MovingIndustry #FranchiseBusiness #SmallBusiness #BeYourOwnBoss #PrattPodcasting

September 30, 2026

Thinking about owning a business next year? It’s not too early to start exploring your options. (Audio)

One of the biggest misconceptions about business ownership is how long the process actually takes. Starting from scratch means building everything—from your legal entity, branding and marketing to technology, operations, hiring and customer acquisition. Buying an existing business may sound faster, but finding a strong, cash-flowing business can take months—or even years. And after you find one, due diligence may reveal that the numbers simply don’t make sense. Franchising gives you an established business model and support system, but there’s still a process: franchise discovery, FDD review, validation, funding, training and ultimately launching the business. A home-based franchise may open relatively quickly, while a mobile or brick-and-mortar business can take considerably longer. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I break down the business ownership timeline and the three primary paths: Build it. Buy it. Franchise it. The goal isn’t to rush into owning a business. It’s to start early enough that you don’t have to rush into the wrong one. 🎙️ Follow Powered by Franchising for practical education on business ownership, franchise strategy, due diligence, financial readiness, growth and building an asset of your own. #PoweredByFranchising #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #BuyABusiness #StartABusiness #BusinessAcquisition #FranchiseStrategy #FranchiseDueDiligence #FinancialReadiness #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #CareerTransition #FranchiseConsultant #PrattPodcasting

September 22, 2026

What If Your Corporate Experience Could Become Your Next Business? (Audio)

After spending 20 or 30 years building expertise, relationships, and credibility in an industry, what if you could turn all of that experience into a business of your own? On this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Jon Bartos, CEO of Dimensional Search, to explore an often-overlooked path to entrepreneurship: executive search. We talk about how experienced professionals can leverage what they already know to build a recruiting business — even without previous recruiting experience. Jon shares insights on making the transition from corporate life to business ownership, choosing a niche, developing clients, building relationships, and eventually scaling beyond a solo operation. We also dig into: • How executive search differs from traditional staffing and recruiting • Why industry expertise can be such a valuable advantage • What the day-to-day role of an executive search business owner looks like • The importance of sales, networking, and relationship building • Starting independently versus joining an established franchise system • How AI is changing recruiting — and where the human element still matters • What it takes to build a search firm rather than simply create another job for yourself If you've spent years building a successful career but are wondering “What could I do on my own?”, this conversation may introduce you to a business model you haven't considered. #PoweredByFranchising #Franchising #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #ExecutiveSearch #Recruiting #CareerTransition #CorporateToEntrepreneur #FranchiseOwnership #DimensionalSearch #PrattPodcasting

September 8, 2026

Restoring More Than Property: Inside 911 Restoration with Jeff Yosha (Audio)

What does it take to build a business in an industry people often don’t think about until they desperately need it? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Jeff Yosha of 911 Restoration to explore the restoration industry and the business behind helping homeowners and businesses recover from water damage, fire, mold, and other unexpected disasters. Jeff shares what makes the restoration model unique, what the day-to-day role of a franchise owner really looks like, how owners build and lead teams, and why you don’t need a restoration or construction background to explore the industry. We also dig into the 911 Restoration “Fresh Start” philosophy, the advantages of joining an established franchise system, and what Jeff sees ahead for the restoration industry. If you’re exploring franchise ownership — especially in the essential home-services space — this episode offers an inside look at a business you may not have considered. #PoweredByFranchising #911Restoration #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #HomeServices #RestorationIndustry #FranchiseOpportunities #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #PrattPodcasting

September 8, 2026

Want to Own a Business? Start Before You’re Ready (Audio)

Thinking about owning a business “someday”? Someday may need to start sooner than you think. Starting a company from scratch can take a year. Finding the right existing business to acquire can take months—or even years. Evaluating a franchise may take 6–12 weeks, followed by financing, training, licensing, real estate, buildout, hiring and opening. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe breaks down the three primary paths to business ownership: Build it. Buy it. Franchise it. What actually happens between deciding you want to become an entrepreneur and opening the doors? What can derail an acquisition? How long does franchise discovery take? When should you start talking to lenders? And who should be on your team? Most importantly, Laura explains why starting your search early isn't about rushing into a business. It's about giving yourself enough time NOT to rush into the wrong one. If business ownership is part of your future, this episode is your roadmap for getting started. 🎙️ Powered by Franchising with Laura Rolfe #PoweredByFranchising #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #BuyABusiness #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #StartABusiness #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #FranchiseConsultant #PrattPodcasting

September 1, 2026

Stop Following Your Passion: Choose the Right Business Model Instead (Audio)

Love the product. Buy the business? Not so fast. One of the biggest mistakes aspiring entrepreneurs make is assuming that a business they love as a customer will also be a business they’ll love owning. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe challenges the classic advice to “follow your passion” when choosing a business. From restaurants and trendy concepts to service businesses most people would never dream of owning, Laura shares real-world stories of entrepreneurs who discovered that the right opportunity isn’t always the sexiest one. You’ll learn why the owner’s actual role matters more than the product, why “boring” businesses can be incredibly attractive, what to look for in a sustainable business model, and why due diligence should sometimes make you walk away—even from a business you love. Before you ask, “What business am I passionate about?” ask a better question: Would I love being the customer—or would I love being the owner? 🎙️ Powered by Franchising with Laura Rolfe #PoweredByFranchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #BuyABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #BusinessOpportunity #FranchiseConsultant #PrattPodcasting

August 28, 2026

What Does Business Ownership Really Buy You? | Freedom, Flexibility & Building a Life You Love (Audio)

What does business ownership really buy you? We often measure success by revenue, profitability and ROI. But some of the most valuable returns don't show up on a P&L: time, freedom, flexibility and choices. After spending a week diving in the Sea of Cortez—swimming with whale sharks, dancing underwater with playful sea otters and discovering that many of my fellow divers were also business owners—I started thinking about a different kind of ROI. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, I talk about: • Why work-life flexibility may be more realistic than perfect work-life balance • The freedom business ownership can create—and why it doesn't happen overnight • Building systems, teams and a business that isn't completely dependent on you • Why lifestyle should be part of your franchise search • The question every prospective business owner should ask: “What do I want business ownership to make possible?” Business ownership isn't just about building wealth. It's about building a business—and a life—that gives you options. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: If you had greater financial freedom AND greater control over your time, what would you do with it? #PoweredByFranchising #BusinessOwnership #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #FinancialFreedom #WorkLifeBalance #PrattPodcasting